B I M A T O R M A L A C O P T I I T T S , B k t h
J6m üä/^CIticIiia;;äebe6 tiäv.
TVal/a: Hrip.
RIMATOR MALACOPTILUS, Biyth.
Lonff-billed Wren.
Rimator malacopUbs, Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. xvi. pp. 154.864, 8 7 8 ,-A nm N a t. H ist, n. s voL xx.
p. 3 1 7.—Blyth, Cat. of Birds in Mus. Asiat. Soc. Calcutta, p. 3 3 8.—Horsf. & Moore, Cat. of Birds in
Mus East-Ind. Comp., vol. ii. p. 717.—Jerd. Birds of India,iss- jluu. v/umip., m **. jt»* vol. i. p . 493 -
M U H i dracrii I R. Gray, Proa, o f Zool, | | c „ part xv„ 1847, p .6S S 8Gen- of B,räs> D H P
_ . -.t TTt.i _ „ 8MHÜM! oiro—Rnnan. Const). Gen. Av., tom. 1. p. 225.
144,
nus uracei, ur. xv.way ,u u u M ««««' r *
pi. 44. P 2.— Ann. Nat. H ist, n. s., vol. six. p. S S g -B o n a p . Cbnsp. Sen: Av., tom, i, p.
T-Tnrlos. Calc. Jouru. Nat. Hist., 1847, p. 96.
The bird figured on the accompanying H a te must be regarded as one of the most curious and highly
interesting species comprised in the Indian avifauna. It appears to be as scarce as it ■ ■ |
structure (for at present it is only known to us from the few skins that have been collected by Mr. Hodgson
and one or two other observers); and a great length of time will probably elapse before we become acquainted
with its habits and economy. Its proper situation in our systems is very questionab e ; Mr. Jerdon places it
near Troglodytes, assigns to it the trivial name of the Loug-bilfed Wren, and has little doubt the propriety
of the position he has given it. | Mr. Blyth,” says he, I HI it a n BD approachmg the Wrens
Gray puts it in his family MW as does Prince Bonaparte,^but quite erroneously, I think. Its very short
almost an apology for a tail, its rounded wings, long bill) stout tarsi, lengthened hind toes and cfcws, and
brown plumage, all indicate that it habitually resorts « ¿ th e ground, or that the boles of fallen trees and
moss-covered stones in the humid forests are the places it usually frequents. We should like to know the
character and shape of its nest, whether open I domed, like that of W fW jm I E ■ ■
of its eggs, the nature o f its song, if any, and if % sexes assimilate in form and size and in the coM n n g
of tlteir plumage: with respect to this latter point the probability is that there is no visible difference.
Trusting I may live to read a more full account of the history of this highly curious bird from the
pens o f some of the young and rising ornithologists of our Indian Empire, I must now content myself with
subjoining Mr. Jerdon's brief note respecting it. He says:-«. . ERHEURM
i i procured two or three specimens of this remarkable bird at Daijeel.ug, but regret that I did no
observe it myself. It was said to be chiefly a feeder on the ground, among brushwood and fallen tre e s ; and
I found the remains of insects in its stomach.”
Upper surface deep brown, with fulvous shafts; scapularies and m terscapulanes mingled black and brown ;
primaries and tail deep brown, slightly tinged with rufous; under surface pale brown, striated with a darker
tint • a black streak on each side of the th ro a t; flanks ferruginous olive ; under tail-COTerts dark rust-red ,
bill fleshy at the base, dark liorn-colour at the t ip ; legs brownish flesh-colour; indes light brown.